Ai Weiwei’s exhibition, Roots, features a new series of large-scale sculptures that have been constructed from tree roots sourced from the Brazilian rainforest. The sculpture series was created in collaboration with local Brazilian communities and artisans. The sculpture collection is made up of large, imposing works, which juxtapose against Ai’s more delicate kites, silk sculptures and LEGO works. The sculptures depict ‘uprootedness’ and reflects the artist’s own life after being allowed to leave China in 2015, as well as the plight of the refugees he has documented, and the indigenous populations that have been impacted by deforestation in Brazil. The Roots sculptures are crafted using a technique called ‘lost wax’, which is a traditional method of handcrafting that is at risk of becoming obsolete in the wake of technological progress. The exhibition was presented in collaboration with Ai’s Berlin gallery, neugerriemschneider.
Posted by hateruma_yaeyama on 2019-10-02 10:41:31